MLB Preview 2015: Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds 2014 Record: 76-86

Team Overview:

The injury bug hit the Reds in the worst way and caused them to spiral worse than division foe Milwaukee. There are still certainly questions if the Reds can bounce back but they have to like the fact that they found some young names to prepare to step in for the old.

The biggest concern is Joey Votto and his knees. Votto is a career .310 hitter with a .417 OBP. Last year his knees and lingering quad injury had him at an average of .255 in 62 games before he decided to end his season with surgery. At age 31 now it is a concern with Votto because he would be right near the top of the order due his strong opinion of the strike zone and his ability to draw walks and get on base. Brandon Phillips has been the punch behind Votto in the lineup and he, like Votto ended his 2014 on the DL. Phillips is now 33 and while a thumb injury shouldn’t have lingering affects he wasn’t having a strong season before the news came about. He should still be a consistently strong defensive 2nd baseman but his hitting may take a decline.

Luckily for the Reds they found a power punch to Jay Bruce behind the two former all stars. Bruce had his injury problems last season and it really opened the way for Devin Mesoraco and Todd Frazier to show break out power with 25, and 29 home runs respectively. I don’t see either as a fluke, and while Fraziers’ was a little unexpected he has still been a good third baseman for two years before his last and may have finally figured it out at age 29. When looking at the core and seeing a 2-6 of the names mentioned the Reds can have a pretty strong lineup this season.

Especially when looking at the leadoff hitter as a guy who can get on base consistently and may prove to be the MLB best base stealer by season end. Billy Hamilton had a mini breakout throughout 2014 and the 24-year-old switch hitter can front a lineup with nice depth behind it. The outfield is rounded out with Bruce, and off-season signee Marlon Byrd who has seemed to have found a second wind at age 37. After back to back 20 home run seasons he should be followed because this team doesn’t have the strongest bench and with a few other injury questions he can be thrust into a prime role in the lineup.

Despite the bench you have to like the overall depth in the starting lineup. That depth however, has nothing on the pitching depth. Johnny Cueto has bet on himself and won the past two seasons and can be trusted as an ace pitcher as he is in the heart of his prime. Behind him the team has some sorting out to do but they certainly have their options full. Mike Leake will certainly be an option and the former 8th overall pick looks like a good option to have as a 2 or 3 guy in a rotation. Homer Bailey will be in the rotation at some point but surgery will sideline him for a month or so, and that opens the possibilities. Jason Marquis and Paul Maholm were offseason signees to be veteran back end guys. Neither screams success but they also have three young names to consider when rounding out the rotation. With Bailey on the DL at least one will get a shot while the other two may need to prove they can come in from the bullpen until the Reds are ready to commit. Speaking of the bullpen it should really be a nice one and when considering a healthy Aroldis Chapman it should be better than last season as well.

What To Watch For?

It was basically hinted when talking about the pitching that the bottom of the rotation is the key that makes this Red machine go. Anthony DeSciafiani, Raisel Iglesias, and Tony Cingrani are all 25 or younger and will all be in the running to make starts this season. DeSciafiani was told he will be in the rotation after being acquired from the Marlins this off season. He only started 5 games in his MLB career so it seems to be a small leap of faith but the Reds must see something. His progression will be key if the Reds are betting on him to be a possible #3 in the staff. Iglesias has also been told he will start be making starts this season as well. He is a wild card as a Cuban signee last season but adds to the upside of a young bottom of a rotation. I honestly don’t know what he brings but it must be better than Cingrani because they have been upfront in saying he will be in the bullpen. Cingrani has good stuff and can miss bats but the concern is he has control issues and cannot consistently go long into games. A role as a long reliever may not be bad for him, but you can’t help but think of guys like Marquis, and Maholm taking starts away from the progression of 25-year-old Cingrani. Either way it is an interesting follow due to the new faces looking to solidify a potentially above average staff all around.

Where Do They Rank?

Injuries would turn this season into a repeat of 2014. While Votto is certainly a concern he can still bring walks and a decent average if healthy. All together I much more optimistic in where this pitching staff is than a staff in Milwaukee and that was the biggest factor in saying the Reds would finish 4th.

#MLB #2015 #baseball #sports #NationalLeague #NL #Cincinnati #Reds